FROM PERCEPTION TO PERFORMANCE: UNDERSTANDING PLAYER INFLUENCE IN DYNAMIC GAMING ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

This study focuses on the complex relationship between player perceptions, adaptivity in digital games, and game experience. Through a within-subjects experimental design involving the Teamfight (which is a top-down 2D, 3v3 arena shooter-MOBA hybrid game developed for this study), participants (N=12) were divided into groups to explore the impact of perceived adaptivity on in-game decisions and overall experience. Results indicated a direct influence of player perceptions on in-game decisions, as evidenced by expected changes in win-rates for game characters receiving buffs or nerfs. Interviews revealed that players' perceptions influenced their strategic choices, with increased focus on buffed characters and caution towards nerfed ones. However, while player perceptions did impact game experience, the effect was not as pronounced as the actual changes in the game, challenging our hypothesis that player perceptions hold equal weight to actual game alterations. These insights shed light on the dynamics between player perceptions, adaptivity, and game experience, offering valuable implications for game designers and researchers of player experience. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.